When juicing it’s important to me to always use organic fruits and vegetables. I have enough health problems and I don’t want to compound them with toxic chemicals and pesticides that can cause even more inflammation.

I also was taught by my amazing friend and nutrition mentor Amy Arnold to be careful about the amount of fruit I use in my juicing because of the high natural sugar content.

But fruit does make the juice taste much better. Moderation is the key! Carrots also have high sugar content.

Vegetables do have protein. The challenge with getting protein from vegetables is not one individual vegetable has the complete Amino Acid chain to make up a complete protein, which your body needs to absorb and utilize the protein. You have to eat or drink a variety of vegetables in order to get the complete chain of protein amino acids your body needs.

An option I sometimes use is I will add vegetarian organic protein mix to my juice ensuring I am getting enough protein and all the amino acids without the meat, dairy or Casein.

I will use Metagenics UltraInflamx 360 which is an anti-inflammatory blend of all organic ingredients designed to reduce inflammation. It has a lot of Turmeric in it which is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. The protein comes from organic brown rice.

I also use a product called “Maca Up”

It is vanilla flavored (naturally) all organic and is a vegan protein supplement with the complete amino acid protein chain. It tastes incredibly good and makes my juice and green berry smoothies taste awesome!

The protein in Maca Up comes from organic peas and organic brown rice.

I’ve been juicing for around 15 years now – ever since I was diagnosed with Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and MCTD or Mixed Connective tissue Disease.

I believe my healthy nutritional eating habits are the reason I am still above ground today.

I didn’t think much about nutrition until I got sick and was diagnosed with the auto-immune connective tissue disease.

Auto- Immune Connective Tissue disease are where your immune system is overactive and attacks your own body.

I have systemic inflammation throughout my body.

Inflammation sucks. Joint and muscle pain, fevers, sensitivity to sun, frequent sore throats, extreme fatigue – these are some of the symptoms I have experienced.

I truly believe that having my green berry smoothie for breakfast and green vegetable juicing for lunch – over time has greatly reduced the amount of inflammation in my body and I am able to enjoy a limited but relatively active and pain free lifestyle.

If you are suffering from an auto- immune or connective tissue disease like Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia you might benefit from Juicing Healthy Organic Fruits and Vegetables Daily!

You should always consult your Doctor or Rheumatologist before starting on a new nutritional regimen.

My Doctor talked with me 2 weeks ago, he ran some blood tests to check my inflammation levels – they were pretty high. He told me that most people with the amount of inflammation in their body are not moving around very easy and normally they would prescribe a biologic like Humira or Enbrel. He said “You don’t need it because You are doing great physically despite the inflammation, Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis and MCTD ( Mixed Connective Tissue Disease)

He also said “just keep on doin what your doing with nutrition! • Ok Doc! Will do!

I am currently on Prednisone an anti- inflammatory steroid medication, but down to 5 mg a day and hopefully be done in 4 days. 2 weeks on prednisone for a bad lupus flare and DVT blood clot scare! First time in 4 years. My flares are usually brought on by emotional stress or lack of sleep. This time it was a reaction to the DVT blood clot I had in my leg.

I pride myself in managing my inflammation and conective tissue issues with nutrition.

It works for me.

It’s a beautiful sunny day in Seattle so I’m gonna head out for a ride on my Harley Davidson because – well because I can! Because I am pain free – just for today!